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Rectory at Saint Bernard's Church in Eureka burglarized

EUREKA- A Eureka church was burglarized early Thursday morning, and authorities found the suspect hiding inside the rectory attic at Saint Bernard’s Church.

The Eureka Police Department confirms that just before 5 a.m., officers were dispatched to the rectory after a custodian saw the lower door panels to the rectory had been kicked out. Officers determined someone was in the attic, and noticed the attic door was barricaded closed. The suspect was later identified as 51-year-old Fortuna resident Sherman Prochnau, who has since been charged with burglary, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled substance. EPD officials explained how Prochnau was apprehended.

“Officers responded to the scene and heard footsteps coming from the attic, they gave commands for the subject to come down, he initially complied and started to come down but as soon as officers tried to detain him, he began resisting arrest. Officers gave multiple commands and he continued to resist and he was given several warnings and then the k-9 assisted in the apprehension," said Public Information Officer Brittany Kesterson with the EPD.

This is the second time the Saint Bernard’s Rectory was reportedly broken into this year. In addition, it’s the same place that local priest, Father Eric Freed, was found murdered on News Year’s Day.

News Channel 3 reached out to officials with Saint Bernard’s Church, but they say they cannot make a comment on the burglary at this time.